Development Planning

• Summary Table Q4, 2024
• Summary Table Q1, 2025
• Summary Table Q2, 2025
• Summary Table Q3, 2025
• Summary Table Q4, 2025

Prior to submitting a Development Application to the City, the Owner/Agent is encouraged to have a Pre-Submission Meeting with Development Planning staff. The purpose of this meeting is for the applicant to present a development proposal and to identify required materials for a full and complete submission of a Planning Act application(s).

Please note: A Pre-Submission Meeting is not required for Part Lot Control Exemption, Consent, Minor Variance, Sign By-law Variance/Amendment, Municipal Addressing or Street Naming applications. Please contact the Development Planning Division at planning@richmondhill.ca for more information.

Prior to any development, site alteration, modifications and/or additions to existing buildings on land within the Oak Ridges Moraine (ORM) where Site Plan Control is not applicable pursuant to By-law 38-25, as amended by By-Law 114-25, a preliminary meeting with Development Planning staff is required. At the preliminary meeting, staff will provide you with a list of the information, plans and/or studies required to demonstrate conformity to the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and ensure minimal impacts to the Natural Heritage Features.

The following materials are intended to assist applicants in understanding the types of general submission requirements for development proposals. Please note that formal submission requirements that are specific to a particular development proposal will be confirmed at the Pre-Submission Meeting.

• Consolidated Development Application Guide
  • Appendix 7A Sample Comprehensive Zoning By-law 93-25 Amendment
  • Appendix 7B Sample Former Zoning By-laws Amendment

• Digital Submission Requirements

• Tariff of Fees By-Law
• Official Plan
• Authorization of Applicant/Registered Owner(s)
• Transfer Application Request Owner or Applicant and Professional Consultant Authorization (where required)

Public Notification Signs

In accordance with the notification requirements under the Planning Act, public notification sign(s) shall be installed on the subject lands to advertise the request for approval and statutory public meeting information.

An Adobe InDesign working ZIP file Development Application Signage can be downloaded for the required specifications to produce the sign, and for the Public Meeting Information decal.

Please refer to the Public Notification Sign Requirements for additional details and sign posting requirements.

• Affordable Housing Strategy Project
• DC Certificate
• Approvals Plus (A+) Program
• Source Water Protection (Clean Water Act)
• Municipal Servicing Allocation Policy By-Law 9-25
• Sustainability Metrics Program
• Tree Preservation Information
• Arborist Report and Tree Inventory & Preservation Plan Terms of Reference
• Natural Heritage Evaluation Terms of Reference
• Urban Design Guidelines, Architectural Design Guidelines, Exterior Material and Colour Schedule, Urban Design Brief, Shadow Study and Associated Terms of References
• Waste Management Design and Collection Standards for Development
• Access Study Terms of Reference
• Exterior Site Illumination Submission - Lighting Plan Terms of Reference
• Noise and Vibration Study Terms of Reference
• On-Site Circulation Study Terms of Reference
• Parking Study Terms of Reference
• Transportation Demand Management Plan Terms of Reference
• Transportation Mobility Plan Terms of Reference
• Planning Justification Report Terms of Reference

Use the Zoning Index Map to find out what your property is zoned.

Submit a Request for Zoning By-law Information to obtain a copy of the Zoning By-law(s) applicable to your property.

Refer to Schedule A2 – Land Use (Page 239) in City’s Official Plan to find out the applicable land use designation of a property. The corresponding land use designation and applicable policies are outlined in Section 4 of the Official Plan.

The Official Plan is Richmond Hill's vision for "building a new kind of urban" community. Refer to the City’s Official Plan to learn more about the land use designations and applicable policies.

Refer to the Current Development Applications (hyperlink to above) maps and statuses of active applications in an area.

To obtain submission materials associated to a closed/approved development, please submit a Freedom of Information Request. For more information, please refer to Accessing City Records and Information.

• General development and land use planning related inquiries (via phone or email) will be reviewed and you will hear from us within 2 business days.
• Request for pre-submission meeting prior to submitting a development application will reviewed and you will hear from us within 14 business days.
• Pre-submission letters will be available to you within 45 business days.
• Following submission of an official plan amendments (OPA), zoning by-law amendment (ZBA), Draf plan of Subdivision (SUB), Site Plan Control (SPA), Part Lot Control Exemption (PLC), Draft Plan of Condomium (CDM) application, you will receive an acknowledgement letter within 30 days.
• Following submission of a minor variance and consent application, you will receive an acknowledgement email within 2 business days.
• Following submission of a Sign By-law, Radio-Communications, Street Naming, Addressing application, you will recieve an acknowledgement letter or email within 30 days.